Phillip Martin Epting

Sumter, SC …. Phillip Martin Epting, age 79, beloved husband of 55 years to Eugenia Lynn Edwards Epting, died on Friday, November 18, 2022, at NHC Healthcare of Sumter.

Born in Newberry, SC, he was the son of the late Robert and Motelle Epting. After his graduation in 1961 from Columbia High School, he chose to attend USC prior to entering the USAF, where he graduated from St. Leo University with a BA in Criminal Justice. Phillip retired from the USAF after serving as Special Agent with the USAF Office of Special Investigations Prior to being appointed a special agent he worked in accounting and finance.  His duty stations included Shaw AFB, Heraklion Crete, Omaha Nebraska, Houston Texas, San Angelo Texas, Anderson AFB Guam, and Pope AFB North Carolina. After retiring from the USAF he worked as an investigator for the Sumter Sherriff’s office for 2 years before returning to serve his country in civil service with Defense Security Services as a Special Agent for 20 years before finally retiring. Phillip was known as a kind and compassionate man, and a loyal member of St Marks United Methodist Church. He enjoyed bass fishing, spending time with his grandchildren, and traveling to Canada to visit friends and family.  He had a special love for cats over the years especially his former cats Sebastian and Picasso.  In years past he would often be found on weekends with his friends participating in fishing tournaments in Sparkleberry and Low Falls.

In addition to his loving wife, he is survived by two daughters, Jennifer Epting Mitchell and her husband Sean of Camden, SC, and Elizabeth Epting MacDonald and her husband James of Toronto, Ontario Canada, eight grandchildren, Victoria Mitchell, Jacob Mitchell, Owen Mitchell, Abbigail Mitchell, Mary Ruth MacDonald, Duncan MacDonald, Lachlan MacDonald, and Sawyer MacDonald, and his beloved feline, Cecil.

In addition to his parents, he is preceded in death by a son James Robert Epting and his sister Sandra Smith.

He will be greatly missed by all who had the pleasure of knowing him.  The family would like to extend a special thank you to NHC and Visiting Angel’s for the wonderful care they provided.

A memorial service with full military honors will be held on Saturday, November 26th, 2022, at noon at the Bullock Funeral Home Chapel with the Rev. Wes Conner officiating.

The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service on Saturday, November 26th, 2022, from 11:00am-12:00pm at Bullock Funeral Home.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Sumter SPCA, 1140 S. Guignard Dr., Sumter, SC 29150, the Alzheimer’s Association, P.O. Box 96011, Washington, DC, 20090-6011 or to the charity of one’s choice. 

You may go to www.bullockfuneralhome.com and sign the family’s guest book.

The family has chosen Bullock Funeral Home for the arrangements.

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